Underdogs?

This Sunday, the "Underdog" Carolina Panthers face the San Francisco 49ers in what should prove to be the most physical playoff game so far this post season.

While nearly every national media player is bathing the 49ers in adoration (mainly for ratings purposes), I don't buy into it, not for a second. According to them pedestrian receiver Michael Crabtree is the second coming of Jerry Rice. Why? Well, because he played well against the worst defenders in the league last week. Genius.

Here are just a few popular notions in the national media debunked:

San Francisco has a far superior offense. While the 49ers do score an average of only 3 more points per game than the Panthers, the Panthers win in passing yards, third down conversion percentage, and most importantly Time of Possession. That last one is key. This game could certainly come down to which defense is more rested. The winner of the TOP battle will win this game.

Kaepernick and Newton are equal. A laughable notion at best. Cam Newton is superior to Colin Kaepernick in every way. Cam has a higher completion percentage. Cam has more passing yards. Cam has more touchdowns. Cam has more rushing yards. All of this with less weapons and a less than stellar offensive line. Sorry Niners fans, Kaep is no Cam.

The 49ers Defense is equal to the Panthers defenseWhile the 49ers do have a good defense, it isn't quite at the level of Carolina. Carolina wins in nearly every statistical category. Points per game, rushing yards allowed, passing yards allowed, all in the Panthers favor.

Looking at all of this information and taking into consideration it is the Panthers who are playing at home after resting for a week, it becomes clear the Underdog title is nothing but large market media bias.

It sure worked for Vegas with all the betting on the 49ers moving the line quite a bit. I'd be surprised if the Panther's aren't using the 49ers being favorites as bulletin board material to fire up an already fired up group.

I don't want to hear anything about luck when we win this time... and certainly I don't want to hear "it was us, we didn't play like we know we do..." Kaep's comments after that reg season game is what started this grudge.

I also like the notion that Carolina will lose because San Fran is playing better football now than they were when the teams first met...

While it may be true that SF is playing better now, it is also true that Carolina is as well...

SF has been tabbed as the 'hottest' team in football right now, after winning 7 in a row... But I am comfortable challenging that with Carolinas 11 wins in the last 12 games...

Either way, these are 2 fantastic teams, built around solid defenses, and offenses that try to minimize mistakes and control the time of possession... I believe this will be a close game, and could likely be won by whichever team is able to get a 'break' during the game at a key time... A long punt return... A long QB scramble... A blown pass interference call (God forbid)... Some sort of 'X Factor' that swings the momentum of the game...

I also believe that the crowd can make a difference... Carolina has long been tabbed a wine and cheese atmosphere... I believe that will be debunked this weekend... This fanbase is hungry, and it will show this weekend...

I am sure the players in the locker are ticked! They are going to come out with fire and the 12th man will be rocking come Sunday. "Experts" are already predicting the 49ers vs Seahawks. It is going to be so funny when we beat the 49ers and Saints luck up to beat the Seahawks. I am not sure why everyone is going nuts over Crabtree. He is a good route runner with good hands but people are acting like he is Rany Moss combined with Jerry Rice. Come Sunday, one team will be left standing. Call us the underdogs, overachievers or whatever but "they still have to play us" . None of what the media says matters, it's all about what happens on the field. Go Panthers!

The media wants us out of the playoffs. That's all there is to it. There is a better story line if the 9ers play the Seachickens, in their opinion.

We will get no respect until we win the Super Bowl.

same ol same ol... I'm tired of the same ol crap EVERY year... forget Brady, Manning, Brees, pocket QBs and any wildcard winner that they say will be in the conference championship game. the only legit wildcard is the Chargers because they are balanced and have a legit QB with actual skill!......... Sunday can't get here fast enough!

Like LP said, there is not a game going forward that we will play where we will not be the underdog.

the only exception might be if NO beats Seattle and comes to Charlotte. But still, after beating Seattle, the media will say the NO is on a roll and a team of destiny beating Philly, Seattle and then Carolina, all on the road.

I also like the notion that Carolina will lose because San Fran is playing better football now than they were when the teams first met...

While it may be true that SF is playing better now, it is also true that Carolina is as well...

SF has been tabbed as the 'hottest' team in football right now, after winning 7 in a row... But I am comfortable challenging that with Carolinas 11 wins in the last 12 games...

Either way, these are 2 fantastic teams, built around solid defenses, and offenses that try to minimize mistakes and control the time of possession... I believe this will be a close game, and could likely be won by whichever team is able to get a 'break' during the game at a key time... A long punt return... A long QB scramble... A blown pass interference call (God forbid)... Some sort of 'X Factor' that swings the momentum of the game...

I also believe that the crowd can make a difference... Carolina has long been tabbed a wine and cheese atmosphere... I believe that will be debunked this weekend... This fanbase is hungry, and it will show this weekend...

Already debunked. Anybody still claiming a wine & cheese crowd is likely doing it from their couch on Sunday afternoons. BOA atmosphere is great ... and you can still bring the kids. I'll take that over most other venues.

Breaks will play a big role and the Panthers are getting the breaks this year. Whether it be a botched snap in Atlanta or timely fumble recovery, the breaks are going our way. Our MOJO is good this year. For the most part, that hasn't been the case over the last few years.

I believe the biggest factor will be SD. He will devise a scheme to contain Kap. Dwan, Short and Star will get push up the middle while CJ and Kraken collapse the corners. Kap wont have the running lanes and if he does get flushed out, our LBs are pretty good (sarcasm). Kap is not the same when contained and forced to make good decisions. The game will be won in the trenches and we will prevail on toughness and grit. In fact, if Cam brings his A game and gets back to mid-season form with minimum high balls, we win by 2 scores.

Not surprised and everyone has already said my thoughts about it already ... Media wants the 49ers in - Better Story line and I prefer being the underdog because we play with more passion, more effort and most importantly NO BIG HEAD in these games. Take it for what its worth - Carolina will NOT be a media darling and we will have to go out and earn their respect ....... AND WE WILL!!

Watched every media coverage on this game and everyone is saying 49ers. Its funny in a way.. numbers don't lie. Im super fired up as a fan.. If I was a player in that locker room I would be ready to smash some 49ers sunday.